Yesterday, we tackled the notion that American soccer fans are snobbish and elitist by highlighting a piece written on the subject by Alex Akita at The Bleacher Report. I attempted to explain part of that reaction to the amount of abuse the sport and its community take; it's not an excuse, but it does better frame "why" it happens.

How lucky are we, then, that a perfect example of the "issue" of soccer-bashing presented itself today? I hate to bring attention to something as idiotically close-minded as this is, but it just seems necessary. Why people want to turn the place of soccer in America into an "us vs. them" debate, I'll never know; how exactly are American ideals being threatened by a game?.

You can hide behind all of the pseudo-anthropology and nonsense psychology you want, Mr. Faville, but your reasoning is not only flawed (and filled with unprovable statements that make you appear petty and small), it poorly conceals your rampant xenophobia and chauvinism.

• The construction of South Africa 2010's crown jewel stadium, Soccer City, is in its final stages. It's an impressive feat for a country few believed was ready to host the World Cup, and while there is still quite a ways to go, things appear to be on track. Not everyone appears to be happy about Soccer City's completion, however, with protests taking place nearby. The exact reasons for that protest is unclear, but in a country with significant social problems, including poverty and crime, the massive expense of holding the World Cup probably doesn't sit well with everyone. I still believe that the positives of playing the tournament in South Africa outweigh the negatives, and that the country will do a fine job; but until kickoff next June, FIFA and South African authorities will be under non-stop scrutiny.

• In the modern world of athletic science, every aspect of a player's life is micromanaged to give him or her the best opportunity for success. For the Vancouver Whitecaps, this means going as far as assessing and correcting problems with posture; team President Bob Lenarduzzi has instituted a program, after experiencing the benefits himself, that every Whitecaps player (men, women, and youth) must go through. The idea is that poor posture leads to weaker muscles and a diminished range of motion over time, and that with proper management these issues can be corrected or reversed. Remember this in two years when the Whitecaps enter MLS; if they find immediate success, and people say "they're no slouches", they'll be literally correct. Don't worry, I wrote it and I'm cringing right along with you.

Deep Cuts appears every weekday, and highlights American soccer-related items from around the web. If you have a story for Deep Cuts (even shallow ones), you can send it along to matchfitusa@gmail.com.